But Galen Dively, professor emeritus at University of Maryland who tests the effectiveness of insecticides, says they are mistaken.

"They are definitely treated," he said.

So-called organic produce from large-scale farms in countries such as Mexico make it into grocery stores in the United States, he said.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website, those who register pesticide products are not required to add National Organic Program language to their products, even those destined for use in organic agriculture.

That leaves many organic growers faced with a struggle to find products that work, versus those that don't, Dively said.

Some pesticides could be a waste of money and time, and do more harm than good to crops, he said.

Because of the problem, many U.S. organic growers limit their crops to plants and herbs that naturally resist pests, Dively said.

Other organic farmers, however, want to expand produce varieties, which means they need an aggressive way to fight bugs, moles and other hungry critters.

Recently, Dively spoke at an organic vegetable seminar held at the Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Northampton County.

At the event, led by Penn State Extension; co-sponsored by Buy Fresh Buy Local, Mid Atlantic Farm Credit, and Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers; and hosted by Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Dively said products such as Entrust, Azera and Pyganic can be successful to combat pests.

Additionally, some soaps, extracts such as garlic and essential oils can be beneficial to battle pests including mites, Dively said.

Other growers say compost tea, a liquid made from decayed organic material, is an effective weapon against pests. However, the solution can be difficult to regulate, he said.

Dively said farmers should research a product before they apply it to a crop. And that's not always easy, he said. Some products claim to be successful but don't list sources of proof, including test results. He suggested farmers share information and experiences with other growers that use pesticides.

That kind of camaraderie among area organic farms is somewhat new but growing, said John Good, farm manager at Quiet Creek Farm Community Supported Agriculture in Maxatawny Township. The certified organic operation includes about 200 members that raise produce such as vegetables and berries on land leased from Rodale Institute in Maxatawny.

"This is still kind of like the early stages," Good said, referring to small, local, profitable farms that share information about successful practices.

Technology used on websites that track blight conditions and predictions across the country also helps local growers prepare to battle pests and diseases, Good said.

Organic farmers, unlike conventional growers, have limited tools to fight insects once they're present on plants, Good said. Many rely on early crop inspection and rotations.

The good news, Good said, is more consumers are interested in the origin of their food.

"People seem to be seeking out this connection to farmers again," he said.